City of Philadelphia Provides Updates on Activations and Response to Major Winter Storm

Mayor Parker Declares Disaster Emergency as Winter Storm Begins; City Crews Responding Citywide

PHILADELPHIA - As a major winter storm is forecast to bring significant snowfall and high winds to the region through tomorrow, Monday, February 23, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has declared a Disaster Emergency in Philadelphia.

The declaration follows updated forecasts from the National Weather Service (NWS) predicting 12 to 18 inches of snow, along with dangerous wind conditions. A Blizzard Warning was issued by the NWS for possible heavy snow and high wind gusts that would make travel dangerous and could cause power outages. The disaster emergency declaration enables the City to mobilize all available resources and implement emergency management measures to protect residents and critical infrastructure.

"The declaration of a Disaster Emergency will allow Philadelphia to more effectively fight this large and dangerous storm as it rolls in," said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. "It is absolutely vital that the City be able to mobilize and utilize all available resources to address this extreme snow emergency and protect the health, safety, property, and welfare of Philadelphia residents."

City Preparations and Response

Crews from the Streets Department are actively treating roadways and deploying snow-fighting equipment across the city, prioritizing snow emergency routes and major thoroughfares before expanding into neighborhood streets as conditions evolve.

More than 1,000 personnel and over 800 trucks and pieces of equipment are now mobilized to fight the storm, including large triaxle snowplows, Sanitation compactors mounted with plows, pickup trucks with plows and salt spreaders, as well as smaller bobcats, skid steers, and excavators for narrow streets.

The primary goal during the storm is to make streets passable for emergency services - Police, Fire, and EMS. This work will continue around the clock after the storm ends to treat all streets and keep Philadelphia moving.

The Streets Department urges residents to avoid unnecessary travel and give winter maintenance crews space as they treat more than 2,500 miles of roadway citywide.

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has activated the City's Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response efforts across City agencies, utilities, and regional partners while closely monitoring changing storm conditions. Residents are encouraged to follow OEM social media channels and sign up for ReadyPhiladelphia to receive important updates and emergency information.

Impacts to City Services

The following service adjustments and operational changes are being implemented across City departments to ensure public safety and maintain critical services during the storm:

City Buildings and Services: All City of Philadelphia administrative office buildings, the Free Library and all branches, recreation centers, and Courts are closed to the public on Monday, February 23, 2026. This includes nonessential City residential services for L&I, Revenue and Water Revenue in the Municipal Services Building, Neighborhood Community Action Centers, among other city agencies.

The Office of Homeless Services declared a Code Blue that went into effect at 3 p.m. on February 22, 2026; extra shelter beds are being added as needed. There is enough capacity at shelters for anyone accepting services from intake teams. The weekday daytime intake center, Appletree Family Center at 1430 Cherry Street, will open at 6 p.m. and remain open through Monday, with additional updates posted on the City website.

The following warming Centers will be opened today, Sunday, February 22 with updates posted throughout the storm and Code Blue:

• Hub of Hope, below Dilworth Park, 15th Street trolley entrance, opened at 4 p.m., Sunday, February 22, 2026.
• Kensington Wellness Support Center, 265 East Lehigh Avenue, 9 p.m. - 9 a.m.
• Prevention Point, 2913-15 Kensington Avenue, 9 p.m. - 6 a.m.

Call the City's Homeless Street Outreach Hotline, (215) 232-1984, if you see someone on the street who needs help.

Food Sites: Residents are encouraged to contact sites to confirm their hours of operation. Visit phila.gov/food or call 311 to find sites closest to you.

School District of Philadelphia:  All Philadelphia School District Schools and Offices will be virtual on Monday February 23.

Philadelphia Department of Public Health: All City Health Centers will be closed on Monday, February 23, 2026. Patients who have appointments for that day will be contacted by Health Center staff to reschedule those appointments.

Philadelphia International Airport: Airlines have adjusted their schedules due to the storm. Travelers and those picking up travelers are encouraged to check their flight status and road conditions before leaving for the airport on Sunday and Monday. Check with your airline, get updates at 1-800-PHL-GATE (745-4283), or check the PHL International Airport website-phl.org. The airport has snow removal planned for the duration of the event. For those flying on Monday, A-West, B and C ticketing and checkpoints will be closed. A-East, D/E and F ticketing and checkpoints will be open for passengers.

Trash and Recycling Collections: Due to the expected amount of snow accumulation, Sanitation crews and equipment will be diverted to snow operations. Residents can find updates on sanitation services at https://www.phila.gov/sanitation and follow the Sanitation Department on social media.

• Trash and recycling collections are suspended for Monday, February 23 and Tuesday, February 24. There will be a two-day delay in collections for the week of February 23 as Monday collections will be picked up on Wednesday and Tuesday collections on Thursday. Collections will continue the rest of the week in the same sequence with materials picked up two days behind regular schedule.

• There will be no collections in rear driveways. Residents are instructed to set their materials out in front of their homes for pickup during the week of February 23. With the expectation of significant snow accumulation, there is an increased risk of Sanitation trucks becoming stuck in the snow in rear driveways.

• The collection schedule may change. Continuation of trash and recycling collections will be contingent on how the storm and plowing operations have progressed.

• Second trash collection is suspended in areas of the city that typically receive it during the week of February 23. There will be one collection only throughout the week.

• Delays: Residents should expect collection delays as crews navigate through the snow and ice. Inaccessible streets may experience additional delays.

• Sanitation Convenience Centers: Residents who can't hold their materials can drop them off at one of the City's six locations, open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A list of sites is available at phila.gov/sanitation.

The Philadelphia Water Department will continue to provide service for customers calling (215) 685-6300, including the 24-hour emergency line. To report an emergency, such as a leak in the street or a damaged fire hydrant, select option 1 for the emergency desk. Water Department staff will assist the City in snow removal and other emergency operations.

Prisons Department: Visits to corrections sites are suspended until further notice during the snow emergency.

Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW): The 24-hour Emergency Hotline will remain open for emergency calls. At any time, all gas leaks or gas-related emergencies should be immediately reported by calling (215) 235-1212.

Guidance for Residents

City officials urge residents to take precautions as the storm progresses:

• Avoid unnecessary travel and allow extra time if driving is required.

• Move vehicles off Snow Emergency Routes when a Snow Emergency is declared to enable efficient plowing.

• Motorists are asked to allow extra time for travel and maintain safe driving distances to allow for sudden stopping. The frigid temperatures and cold ground will make it easy for snow to accumulate and cause slippery travel on untreated roadways.

• Heavy snow and high winds can cause power outages. Know how to report outages and who to call for tree or power line emergencies. Find that and more health and home safety information and resources from the City.

• Do not shovel or plow snow into the street. This practice is illegal, unsafe and counterproductive to snow plowing efforts.

• Watch for slippery sidewalks and clear a path at least 36 inches wide within six hours of the storm ending. Corner property owners are responsible for clearing ramps as an extension of their sidewalk.

• Keep fire hydrants clear.

• Clear snow from neighborhood sewer drains to allow melting snow to drain.

• Make sure to clear snow from the utility access covers on your sidewalk. If you have a water or gas emergency, this will allow quick shut off if needed.

• Assist vulnerable neighbors where possible.

Residents should call 911 for emergencies and use 311 for non-emergency service requests.

Pet Safety Awareness: Residents should contact the ACCT Philly hotline (267-385-3800 ext. 1 if they observe a dog outside during the extreme cold (aside from bathroom breaks and short walks). It is against City ordinance to leave dogs outside in extreme cold without proper shelter, and owners can be fined up to $500.

The City will continue to provide updates throughout the duration of the storm.

Stay Informed

• Tune to local news for weather updates.

• Sign up for free emergency alerts and weather updates from ReadyPhiladelphia by texting READYPHILA to 888-777 for free phone alerts or customize free text and email alerts by signing up online.

• For more winter weather tips, visit the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management online at phila.gov/ready.

• For official updates from the City, follow @PhilaOEM on X (Twitter) or Facebook.

• Other City Twitter accounts to follow for information: @PhiladelphiaGov, @StreetsPhila and @PhilaSanitation.

• Stay updated on City's plow operation log onto streetsmartphl.phila.gov.

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